Monday, March 4, 2013

Progress in Report

Today, I finalized my introduction. I am almost done with my "selection of sources" body paragraph. I will be adding my final touches to my PowerPoint. I feel I can catch up quickly because if I have enough time, I will be able to produce my best work and report. I just need at least 2 hours per day. So nowadays I am finishing all of my school homework before 6:30. I can then spend an hour and half on my report and the rest of the time in writing on my blog, editing my product, and additional tasks. I got my last progress report from my supervisor. Although it is greatly positive, one of the negatives is that I am behind my deadline. I need to focus, focus, and focus. 
Yavnika Kumar
4.3.13

Sunday, March 3, 2013

PP Report

First look of report!!!
I talked to Ms.Thangata about the length of my introduction and she proposed to shorten it. Now I have to wait till I finish the whole report so I can edit my intro. Thank you Ms.Thangata, I definitely have to acknowledge you in acknowledgments.
Yavnika Kumar
3.3.13

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Current Progress

Today I worked on my introduction. I have almost finished it but I need to state my personal criteria. I will be done with the introduction by tomorrow. I will be starting the selection of sources body tomorrow as well. Hopefully I will be able to finish it. Right now, I am feeling confident about myself and the report. Everything was off track recently which put a lot of pressure on me but now that pressure is floating away. I am happy at the rate at which I am working. Credit goes to teachers for not giving too much homework during these days. We are meeting for a Personal Project Meeting with Dr. Pops. We will be working on reports and I wish to get positive feedback from her. That's all for now...
Yavnika Kumar
27.2.13

Monday, February 25, 2013

Progress Till Now

Till now I have completed my product, I have started my report and I will be done to review my process journal very soon. I need to focus on completing my report. Hopefully it should be done by this weekend. I haven't had too many challenges but creating a comprehensible and well - structured report is crucial for me. That is what I am striving for at the moment!
Yavnika Kumar
25.2.13

Meeting with Ms. Kannan

I met with Ms. Kannan for an unofficial PP Advisor Meeting. We discussed my progress. She helped me with my sentence structure in my Product - My Aim. She showed me my PP Progress Report. I really have to devote more time to my report. I only have two more weeks to work on it and I have a lot to do. This is my call to speed up and catch up on all that I have missed during the Christmas break.
Yavnika Kumar
25.2.13

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

PP Adviser Meeting 7


On December 5th, 2012:
Today we had our last personal project adviser meeting for the year. We discussed several things about the product. Ms. Kannan gave back the corrected version of my specifications which I will be editing and submitting tomorrow. I have been told to send my blog link to her and also post my unit question on edmodo. I felt a bit nervous about the length of my PowerPoint. Ms. Kannan told me not to worry about the product but the actual report. I am planning to start the report during the school holidays as I want to make sure I have enough time to complete it. 
Yavnika Kumar
5.12.12

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Final PP Product - A glance

Completion of PP Product

I am almost finished with my product and the only necessary step left is sending it to Ms. Kannan for last minute touch - ups. Since she is my English teacher, she will be able to correct all of my mistakes (which hopefully I will not be making again). I have to print some documents which I will be exhibiting during the Personal Project Evening next year.
Yavnika Kumar
2.12.12

PP Adviser Meeting 6

Unfortunately, I missed this meeting with Ms. Kannan. I completely forgot about it and now I feel bad about it since I am usually not this forgetful. I would like to make it up to Ms. Kannan by attending the next meeting, ready with my product. I am nearly done!
Yavnika Kumar
2.12.12

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Current Progress

Right now I am working on my PowerPoint presentation. I am trying to assemble the research correctly. I only have a week to finish my PowerPoint. I have created several different sections in the presentation which are not hard to understand for the public. I am trying to make this presentation presentable with as much information needed. I have attached a copy of my current slides.
Yavnika Kumar
4.11.12





Thursday, October 18, 2012

PP Adviser Meeting 5


On Monday 8 October 2012:
I was supposed to meet with Ms. Kannan on the 5th of October but due to some unexpected work Ms. Kannan had to postpone the meeting to Monday. We discussed mainly our goals which we have to be finished with by December. I planned to finish my product by our next meeting which will be on November 16. I have less than a month to work on my product. I have already started my presentation. I will be assembling my research into the PP now. I feel like I am a bit too relaxed about this and I should probably try to work faster and efficiently. I plan on working on this product during the Mid October break. 
Yavnika Kumar
18.10.12

Thursday, October 4, 2012

PP Adviser Meeting 4

On Tuesday 11 September 2012:
I met with Ms. Kannan for our fourth PP Adviser Meeting. We planned many things about the coming days. I was told to print my AOI Statement and Specification to hand in to her. I still have to do that and so I will be handing this in tomorrow. Due to homework load, I have not been able to work on my personal project regularly and this is scaring me a little bit since I have to finish my project before December break. I have to decide on a catchy title for my project and a global research question such as "What are the advantages of renewable energy?". I have figured out that I will be needing two laptops during the exhibition. My goals for now are finishing the PowerPoint and research. These are the main focus of my project currently. They will hopefully be finished by December. 
Yavnika Kumar
4.10.12

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Top 5 Renewable Energy Facts :)

These are five facts I found about renewable energy:
  1. "The largest wind turbine in the world, located in Hawaii, stands 20 stories tall and has blades the length of a football field" (alliantenergykids.com)
  2. "More than 10,000 homes in the United States are powered entirely by the solar energy"  (alliantenergykids.com)
  3. "If it could be properly harnessed, enough sunlight falls on the earth in just one hour to meet world energy demands for a whole year"  (independent.co.uk)
  4. "Water is the most commonly used renewable energy resource, providing enough power to meet the needs of 28.3 million people"  (independent.co.uk)
  5. "In 200 B.C., people in China and the Middle East used windmills to pump water and grind grain"  (alliantenergykids.com)


MLA Bibliography:
Alliant Energy. "Fun Facts about Renewable Energy." Alliant Energy Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Sept. 2012. <http://www.alliantenergykids.com/energyandtheenvironment/renewableenergy/022403>.

Arendar, Ana Caistor. "The Natural Solution: Ten Facts about Renewable Energy." The Independent. N.p., 14 May 2007. Web. 9 Sept. 2012. <http://www.independent.co.uk/student/magazines/the-natural-solution-ten-facts-about-renewable-energy-448818.html>.

Yavnika Kumar
9.09.12

Fun Renewable Energy Games and Quizzes for Kids

PP Adviser Meeting 3

On Tuesday 14 August 2012:
I met with Ms. Kannan for the third Personal Project Adviser Meeting. We discussed about our progress during the holidays. I had told her that I had finished my AOI Statement and I was drafting my Product Rubric. I showed her my AOI Statement and the Rubric as well. She gave feedback on the rubric saying that I should complete it by filling in the details of all areas. She passed my AOI Statement. I even showed her my blog and the progress I have made with my Process Journal. We made some plans for me for the future. As I will be travelling this December and I won't have time to work on my product during the winter break, I will have to finish everything except the evaluate stage before I go. This means that I have to finish my research by mid - October and the product before I leave. I have approximately 40 days to finish all of the research I need for the product. And then I will have another 40 days to finish my product. We also discussed about my product type. Ms. Kannan gave me examples of PowerPoint presentations, booklets, essays and more. I am mostly attracted towards a small PowerPoint presentation and booklet for my audience. Since we will be presenting our project, I think I want people to be able to understand my topic in a short span of time and an essay does not fit that specification. We planned our next meeting which will be in the second week of September, before we leave for Week Without Walls. I still have a lot to research and so I need to provide myself with more time for this. This is all I have planned till now.    
Yavnika Kumar
9.09.12

Product Rubric Reviewed

This is my rubric for assessing my product:
Draft 2 -

Content: Depth of Understanding
Organization: Clarity of Work
Sources: Relevance of Research
Style and language: Quality of Work
Seed:
Student does not have any understanding of the subject. Student does not strive to achieve an understanding.
Clarity cannot be seen at all in the students work.
The student’s research is not at all relevant. Application of research is extremely poor.
Extremely poor – Student does not use a range of language mechanics. Piece of work is ineffective. Work is not attractive at all.
Seedling:
Student has minimal understanding of the topic. Student makes a very low effort to gain understanding.
There is somewhat clarity in the students work.  
The student’s research is somewhat relevant. Student shows some level of application.
Minimal – Student uses a very limited range of language mechanics. Work is barely effective. Work is barely attractive.
Leaves:
Student has an average understanding of the topic. Student makes some effort to understand.
Student has minimal clarity in work.
The student’s research is relevant and application is somewhat average but needs more.
Average – Student uses an average range of language mechanics. Work is somewhat effective. Work is somewhat attractive.
Flower:
Student has exceptional understanding of the topic. Student has made consistent effort to gain understanding.
Student has excellent clarity in work.
The student’s research is relevant to the topic and is applied properly.
Extraordinary – Students uses a wide range of language mechanics. Work is extremely effective and attractive.



Yavnika Kumar
9.09.12

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Article 3 - Mozambique Goes Green, Blindsides International Mining Interests



Oil Price:
When thinking of Africa, only words like hunger, poverty, famine, drought, and malnutrition appear in our minds. We can not really understand that Africa has after all become a developing nation. It is hard to believe what with all the conflicts and poverty which still resides in the heart of Africa.
Foreign companies invest in Africa for its excess resources which has made it a resource hub for international companies which exploit the governments desperate "for foreign revenues" (oilprice.com).


This map shows the oil activity occurring in Mozambique after the discovery of heavy amounts of natural gases in the ocean and on land as well. 
An article by oilprice.com stated the Government of Mozambique, distinctively the Ministry for Coordination of Environmental Affairs (MICOA), "has cancelled 146 investment projects in various economic activities because they failed to meet the requirements of the country's environmental laws". This clearly shows that even though the Mozambican Government could gain so much from foreign investments but they refused to damage their environment. The Zambeze Coal Project, owned by Riversdale Mining Ltd., were granted an exploration license. The originally Australian Company had proposed to transport coal to the sea by using the Zambezi river as a transport medium. They also submitted an Environmental Impact Report which concluded the this activity would not cause significant damage to the environment. The Mozambican Government, nevertheless, restricted them from doing this. If the Zambezi River would have been used to transport the coal, it would have concluded in a natural disaster as the coal would have infiltrated the water. The villagers living in the nearby small villages who depended on the river for clean water would have lost their access of water. Moreover the wild life living in the wilderness fearlessly would also have lost their source of water. The fishes in the river would have died due to chemicals and other things. This would also cause the fisherman to loose their jobs and become jobless. The Zambezi River is the largest River Basin in South Africa which flows through Mozambique, Angola,  Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and also Zimbabwe. The governments decision has saved several lives and showed their concern for their country's growth and prosperity. 


MLA Bibliography for Article:
Daly, John. "Mozambique Goes Green, Blindsides International Mining Interests."Mozambique Goes Green, Blindsides International Mining Interests. Oilprice.com, 7 Mar. 2012. Web. 19 July 2012. <http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Mozambique-Goes-Green-Blindsides-International-Mining-Interests.html>.


MLA Bibliography for Image:
Wentworth Resources. Mozambique Oil and Gas Exploration. 2011. Photograph. Mozambique. Oil and Gas - Mergers and Acquisition Review. Sanjay Samuel, July 2011. Web. 19 July 2012. <http://mergersandacquisitionreviewcom.blogspot.com/2011/07/mozambique-oil-gas-exploration-in-2011.html>.


Yavnika Kumar
19.07.12

Final Draft of Area of Interaction Statement


AOI Statement

                Renewable Energy is a great way of saving our earth from environmental diseases such as global warming, pollution, resource repletion and more. My project is about environment and the consumption of resources, which has increased greatly over past few years. Renewable sources of wind and solar energy can be used to alleviate several issues the world faces today. Biomass, which is the usage of plant growth for energy, can save millions of resources that are being wasted consequently. I have always cared about the environment and followed environment friendly ways, which help the earth become a better place to live on. I have been linked with many energy projects in which I tried to establish the need to recycle and reuse materials. The environment has a huge role because it the first and foremost basis of our lives. Our actions on sustainable development and conservation are what improves and maintains our atmosphere. We have several responsibilities to our environment, which require deep understanding on every consequence that can occur. Therefore, I will be taking action on issues concerning our environment and what should be done to maintain and improve it.
                My AOI is Environment because my whole project is based on the consumption of environmental resources. Renewable energy is a major part of the environment. Resources that we find in our environment can be of two types: renewable or nonrenewable. Coal, petroleum, and natural gases may not be recycled and reused but solar and wind energy can be. During this project, I would like to gain awareness and understanding of the roles our environments play in the lives and well being of humankind, the effects of our actions, attitudes and constructs, such as sustainable developments and conservation, and the nature and role of local and international organizations responsible for protecting our natural environments. I would reflect on our actions to our environments and take action on a range of issues related to environments.
                My final product would be a research paper, which will include most of my research on renewable energy. This will be a small packet of information with my essay and some posters as well.  This may include its advantages and disadvantages as well. My main goal of this essay will be to show why renewable energy should be used, especially in the case of resources such as oil, coal, natural gases etc. I have created specifications for my essay, which will be based on my depth of understanding, relevance of research shown, clarity and quality of work. At the exhibition, I would like people to see my effort to promote recycling of any sort. I am planning to put up posters around the school and also my father’s office, which have interesting facts about renewable energy. I will also display these posters at the exhibition. I might even make a brochure, which will focus on some small articles on my topic and let people know what my project is about. The basic idea of my product is let everyone know what the advantages of renewable energy are and how effective it can be if used properly.

Changes have been highlighted.

Yavnika Kumar
19.07.12

Monday, July 16, 2012

First Outline of Product Rubric


Rubric for Grading Project Product



Depth of Understanding
Clarity of Work
Relevance of Research
Quality of Work
Seed: 1 – 2




Seedling: 3 – 4




Leaves: 5 – 6




Flower: 7 – 8





Yavnika Kumar
16.07.12

Comments on AOI Statement

I was really confused about my AOI Statement because I didn't know what else to write. And so I asked my good friend to help me out and comment on it. She told me three basic things which are:


1. Add more on why your topic falls under that certain Area of Interaction.
2. Final Product (Essay) - Is it going to be in the form of a booklet or a packet or something else?
3. Think about what you want those that come to see your project at the Exhibition time to see. How are you going to present your research paper and your project itself? Explain that.


These comments really have helped me understand what more I need to write in the statement. Now I just need to elaborate on the statement using these key points and then I can send this to Ms. Kannan for verification. :)

Yavnika Kumar
16.07.12